FYI: Braxton Hicks Vs. Prelabor Contractions Vs. Active Labor

I know that a lot of us that haven't had our babies yet are confused about the different types of contractions, and I thought you all might find this helpful.

Braxton Hicks:

Some experts call Braxton-hicks contractions 'false labor' or 'pre-labor' contractions. Braxton-Hicks contractions are helpful though. They help your uterus learn to contract and start the process of softening and dilating your cervix. Some women experience Braxton-Hicks contractions from six months and on, while other women don't even notice them.

Braxton Hicks contractions are painless tightenings of your belly. With Braxton-Hicks contractions only a portion of your belly may get hard, or the contractions may pass without you realizing it. These contractions are not painful, though they may be a little uncomfortable if you are stressed, exhausted or hungry. Braxton-Hicks contractions do not have a rhythm and usually go away if you change position. If you are uncertain if you are in labor or experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions, try drinking a large glass of water and changing positions.

Pre-labor:

Prelabour is when the woman is starting to feel some physical signs that labour could be starting. This could be one sign, or more likely, a combination of physical signs such as ashow, diarrhoea (or loose bowel motions), nausea, possibly vomiting, backache, period pain, perhaps the waters breaking or some mild to moderate regular or irregular contractions. During this time the cervix softens and ripens, thins out and starts to open slightly (or 'dilate'), up to about 1- 3

These contractions...

Start with regular contractions that are 10, 15 or 30 minutes apart, lasting for approximately 20-40 seconds. Or

Be strong contractions lasting 20-30 seconds coming around 5 or more minutes apart. Or

Come in various patterns at the end of the day when feeling tired, or trying to get some sleep. Or

Be a dull ache in the lower belly, upper thighs and / or lower back. Some women experience strong, period cramping lasting 2- 3 minutes or more at a time, over many days, on and off for 2 to 3 weeks. Or

Come as a series of painful contractions that are irregular (say 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 30 minutes apart at various times) and lasting for 20 to 40 seconds around the clock for two or more days. Or

Be painful, but not enough to stop you doing normal tasks. Or

Not be particularly noticeable. You may have slept through most of them during the night, or you may confuse them with the discomforts of late pregnancy.

Active Labor:

Active labor is when things really get rolling. Your contractions become more frequent, longer, and stronger, and you'll no longer be able talk through them. Your cervix begins dilating more quickly, going from about 4 to 10 centimeters. (The last part of active labor, when the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters, is called transition, which is described separately in the next section.)

Toward the end of active labor your baby may begin to descend, although he might have started to descend earlier or he might not start until the next stage.

As a general rule, once you've had regular, painful contractions (each lasting about 60 seconds) every five minutes for an hour, it's time to call your midwife or doctor and head to the hospital or birth center. Some prefer a call sooner, so clarify this with your caregiver ahead of time.

In most cases, the contractions become more frequent and eventually happen every two and a half to three minutes, although some women never have them more often than every five minutes, even during transition.

These are just bits and pieces from random websites I found. If you google it all there is plenty of stuff out there. I just always assumed it went from Braxton Hicks to Active Labor, so it's nice to know what I'm talking about now when I talk to my doctors. Good luck ladies!

I know that a lot of us that haven't had our babies yet are confused about the different types of contractions, and I thought you all might find this helpful.

Braxton Hicks:

Some experts call Braxton-hicks contractions 'false labor' or 'pre-labor' contractions. Braxton-Hicks contractions are helpful though. They help your uterus learn to contract and start the process of softening and dilating your cervix. Some women experience Braxton-Hicks contractions from six months and on, while other women don't even notice them.

Braxton Hicks contractions are painless tightenings of your belly. With Braxton-Hicks contractions only a portion of your belly may get hard, or the contractions may pass without you realizing it. These contractions are not painful, though they may be a little uncomfortable if you are stressed, exhausted or hungry. Braxton-Hicks contractions do not have a rhythm and usually go away if you change position. If you are uncertain if you are in labor or experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions, try drinking a large glass of water and changing positions.

Pre-labor:

Prelabour is when the woman is starting to feel some physical signs that labour could be starting. This could be one sign, or more likely, a combination of physical signs such as ashow, diarrhoea (or loose bowel motions), nausea, possibly vomiting, backache, period pain, perhaps the waters breaking or some mild to moderate regular or irregular contractions. During this time the cervix softens and ripens, thins out and starts to open slightly (or 'dilate'), up to about 1- 3

These contractions...

Start with regular contractions that are 10, 15 or 30 minutes apart, lasting for approximately 20-40 seconds. Or

Be strong contractions lasting 20-30 seconds coming around 5 or more minutes apart. Or

Come in various patterns at the end of the day when feeling tired, or trying to get some sleep. Or

Be a dull ache in the lower belly, upper thighs and / or lower back. Some women experience strong, period cramping lasting 2- 3 minutes or more at a time, over many days, on and off for 2 to 3 weeks. Or

Come as a series of painful contractions that are irregular (say 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 30 minutes apart at various times) and lasting for 20 to 40 seconds around the clock for two or more days. Or

Be painful, but not enough to stop you doing normal tasks. Or

Not be particularly noticeable. You may have slept through most of them during the night, or you may confuse them with the discomforts of late pregnancy.

Active Labor:

Active labor is when things really get rolling. Your contractions become more frequent, longer, and stronger, and you'll no longer be able talk through them. Your cervix begins dilating more quickly, going from about 4 to 10 centimeters. (The last part of active labor, when the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters, is called transition, which is described separately in the next section.)

Toward the end of active labor your baby may begin to descend, although he might have started to descend earlier or he might not start until the next stage.

As a general rule, once you've had regular, painful contractions (each lasting about 60 seconds) every five minutes for an hour, it's time to call your midwife or doctor and head to the hospital or birth center. Some prefer a call sooner, so clarify this with your caregiver ahead of time.

In most cases, the contractions become more frequent and eventually happen every two and a half to three minutes, although some women never have them more often than every five minutes, even during transition.

These are just bits and pieces from random websites I found. If you google it all there is plenty of stuff out there. I just always assumed it went from Braxton Hicks to Active Labor, so it's nice to know what I'm talking about now when I talk to my doctors. Good luck ladies!

OMG this is so on-time... I had contractions all night 10-20 minutes apart and hard to breath at each one and I had no idea if it was Braxton hicks or Prelabor or Active Labor so many terms to understand!!!!

Thanks for sharing with us!

Eve

OMG this is so on-time... I had contractions all night 10-20 minutes apart and hard to breath at each one and I had no idea if it was Braxton hicks or Prelabor or Active Labor so many terms to understand!!!!

Glad I could help you all! Here is an AMAZING website that I've read in and out. I've been draining myself mentally with these pre-labor contractions, wondering whether or not I need to call L&D. This site gives a lot of encouragement and tips for knowing what to do and when. Best of luck to you all!! :)

Glad I could help you all! Here is an AMAZING website that I've read in and out. I've been draining myself mentally with these pre-labor contractions, wondering whether or not I need to call L&D. This site gives a lot of encouragement and tips for knowing what to do and when. Best of luck to you all!! :)

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